Best Credit Cards For Costco for 2025
Maximize your rewards and return on Costco shopping.
The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the best credit card for Costco, and the entire list is made up of Mastercards since that's all this bulk retailer accepts. This is the only no fee card on the list, and it offers immediate value when shopping at Costco – or anywhere else.
If you don’t mind paying an annual fee, any of the other Mastercards on this list may appeal to you. This includes, of course, the CIBC Costco Mastercard.
The reviews here compare these and several other Costco credit card options with better earn rates, benefits, and perks.
Key Takeaways
- The best credit card for Costco is the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard.
- Costco customers should also consider the MBNA, National Bank, and BMO AIR MILES line of World Elite Mastercard credit cards.
- You can pay with Visa and rack up points by using the RBC Avion Visa Infinite to shop at Costco online.
- The official CIBC Costco Mastercard earns up to 3% at Costco gas stations and food counters, but only 1% on regular merchandise in-store and online.
Best credit cards for Costco warehouse shoppers
There are several problems with the official CIBC Costco Mastercard. For starters, you need a membership to sign up, it has poor credit card insurance, and its top-earning categories are restricted to Costco gas stations and restaurants. Plus, you only get rewarded once a year!
The best credit cards for Costco address all of these issues and more.
| Category | Credit card | Current welcome offer | Annual fee | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | None | $ 0 | *
* Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw * Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases * Earn 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars * Includes 6types of insurance |
| Best for Air Miles | BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard |
 $150 GeniusCash + Up to 9,000 bonus miles, first year free (terms)
|
$ 120 |
* 1 Mile for every $12 spent * 3x the Miles for every $12 at participating Air Miles partners * 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery, liquor, and wholesale stores * Automatic AIR MILES Onyx status * Includes 14types of insurance |
| Best for rewards | MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard |
$100 GeniusCash + 30,000 bonus points (terms)
|
$ 120 |
* 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills (up to $50,000 spent annually per category) * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases * 10% bonus points every year on your birthday * Includes 12types of insurance |
| Best for Quebeckers | National Bank World Elite Mastercard | Up to 40,000 bonus points (terms) | $ 150 |
* 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants, up to $2,500 in total spend per month (2 points after) * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À La Carte Rewards * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases * Includes 10types of insurance * Annual $150 in travel fee reimbursements |
| Best for low interest | MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard | None | $ 39 | * Low interest rate of 10.99% on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers |
Below, you’ll find the rate of return at Costco for all of these cards.
Rogers customers will earn 2% instead of 1.5% for the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard, pulling this card’s return rate into the lead.
While you won’t earn any rewards for the MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard, this card’s lower interest rate still puts you ahead if you carry a significant balance month to month.
1. Best overall credit card for Costco
Best for: General shopping – bonus rewards in the U.S.
The best Rogers credit card also happens to be one of the best cash back credit cards in the country: the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard. All cardholders enjoy 1.5% back everywhere and 3% back on USD purchases, but if you have a Rogers service (including Fido and Shaw), that rate jumps to a staggering 2% on all purchases. If that wasn’t enough, if you use that cash back on Rogers services you get an additional 50% bonus, effectively giving you a 3% earn rate.
This is also one of the few no-fee World Elite Mastercards in Canada. With a Rogers Red card in your wallet, you’ll enjoy cash-back opportunities abroad, exclusive event invites, and a complimentary DragonPass membership to use at airport lounges worldwide, though it doesn’t come with any free passes.
Pros:
- 1.5% cash back everywhere (2% if you have a Rogers service)
- 3% cash back on USD purchases
- 50% bonus cash back if redeemed on a Rogers services bill
- Cash back redemption on demand
- No annual fee
Cons:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income required
- $15,000 minimum annual spending required
- Only 6types of insurance
2. Best AIR MILES credit card for Costco
×1 Award winner 
GC: $150
1x Award winner Best for: Air Miles collectors
Collectors, rejoice! AIR MILES’ newest partnership awards 2 AIR MILES per $12 spent at any grocery, liquor, or wholesale store with the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, including Costco. Essentially, you’ll earn 1.75% back at Costco with an assumed Air Miles cash value of 10.5 cents per point. Shoppers can also earn 3 AIR MILES per $12 spent at any partner store and 1 AIR MILES per $12 spent anywhere else, to redeem on hotels, merchandise, or travel.
Pros:
- 14types of insurance
- 2 Air Miles per $12 spent at Costco
- Points worth up to 12.7cents each
- World Elite Mastercard perks
Things to consider:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income required
- Points worth as little as 7.7 cents each
3. Best rewards credit card for Costco
×4 Award winner GC: $100
4x Award winner Best for: Rewards, rewards, rewards
Offering 5 points per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is one of the best grocery and restaurant credit cards in Canada. Unfortunately, because Mastercard doesn’t count Costco as a grocery store, it only offers a maximum 1% rate of return in-store and on Costco.ca. MBNA does offer a 10% birthday bonus each year, though, which essentially gives those earn rates quite a lift!
On the plus side, you can out-earn the CIBC Costco credit card in points at any gas station or restaurant in the country without needing to shop or eat at a warehouse. The MBNA Rewards program is equally flexible; you can redeem your points for everything from e-gift cards to travel whenever you like.
Pros:
- 10% bonus points on your birthday
- 12types of insurance
- Points worth up to 1 cent CAD each
- World Elite Mastercard travel and dining perks
Cons:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income required
- Must redeem points on travel for maximum value
- Only 1 point per $1 spent at Costco in-store and online
4. Best credit card for Costco in Québec
Best for: Travellers in Montreal
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is a niche credit card with some niche perks. Most of the time, you’ll earn 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants; 2 points per $1 spent on EV charging, gas, and recurring bills; and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else.
Take your card on vacation and you’ll enjoy 2 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the À La Carte Rewards program, plus unlimited access to the National Bank airport lounge at Montréal Trudeau (YUL). Throw in a yearly $150 travel credit and it’s the perfect way to save up for adventures abroad while shopping at home.
Pros:
- $150 travel credit per year
- 10types of insurance
- 5 points per $1 spent on dining and Costco gas
- Unlimited access to the National Bank airport lounge in Montreal
- World Elite Mastercard perks
Cons:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income required
- No welcome bonus
- Only 1 point per $1 spent at Costco in-store and online
5. Best low interest credit card for Costco
Best for: Bulk shoppers who carry a balance
While most credit card interest rates average 20%, the MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard offers a permanent, low rate of 10.99% on all purchases and balance transfers. If you like to stock up on six months’ worth of groceries at once, it’s the card to take on your semi-annual shopping sprees.
Pros:
- 3 types of insurance
- No personal income requirements
Cons:
- 24.99% interest on cash advances
- No rewards
Compare top Costco credit cards by Genius Rating
Our Genius Rating algorithm weighs every aspect of a credit card’s value to rate it on a scale from one to five stars – these are the top cards for Costco according to our algorithm.
The best Visa credit card for Costco online
While Costco Canada doesn’t accept Visa credit cards at their cash registers in-store, online is fair game. You can earn all the points you want with Visa by shopping at costco.ca.
Because Costco doesn’t qualify as a grocery store – merchant category codes are complicated – we found a simple rewards credit card to help you save while you shop in bulk:
Best for: Online Costco shoppers
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is as close to a flat-rate rewards credit card as you can get: cardholders earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. While the RBC Avion Rewards program is a little more complicated, its flexible rewards catalogue runs the gamut from charitable donations to vacation packages.
Best of all, you’ll enjoy all the perks of Visa Infinite, such as concierge services, luxury hotel perks, special dining event tickets, and more.
Pros:
- 12types of insurance
- 3 cents off per litre at Petro-Canada
- Points worth up to 2.33cents each
Cons:
- Must use Air Travel Redemption schedule for max point value
- Only 1 point per $1 spent at Costco
- Points worth as little as 0.58 cents each
Bonus: the best luxury travel credit card for Costco
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege further simplifies RBC’s rewards system to 1.25 points per $1 spent everywhere, including costco.ca. For a $399 annual fee, you can enjoy all the perks of the Visa Infinite Privilege program – such as VIP treatment and six complimentary airport lounge passes – included with this sterling travel credit card.
Costco credit card facts
Before you rush out to get a credit card to use at Costco, consider these facts:
Costco only accepts Mastercard (and debit cards)
Put your Visa and Amex credit cards away – Costco only takes Mastercard or your debit card. While this does limit your options, you can use a Visa credit card when you shop on Costco’s website.
The CIBC Costco Mastercard isn't the only option
The CIBC Costco Mastercard might be the only co-branded Costco card, but it’s not the only one that’s accepted at the warehouse. In fact, the other cards on our list have better benefits and rewards that are likely more tailored to your spending habits.
Costco isn't considered a grocery store
If you’re anything like us, a Costco haul is essentially a grocery run, so you might think it counts as grocery spending in terms of credit card categories. Unfortunately, Costco’s merchant code is not set as a grocery store, so you won’t earn increased rewards.
Is the CIBC Costco Mastercard good?
Best for: Frequent Costco shoppers
At best, the CIBC Costco Mastercard earns 3% cash back at restaurants and Costco gas stations, and 2% back at other gas stations and on costco.ca. At worst, you only get 1% cash back everywhere else, including the in-warehouse cash register.
For a no fee, cash back credit card, that’s pretty good. For a store credit card, that’s pretty disappointing.
Consider the BMO AIR MILES card, which awards 3x the points whenever you shop at partner stores like Metro. Or the PC Optimum program, which is exclusive to stores like Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, and the Real Canadian Superstore.
The point is that co-branded credit cards are supposed to reward shoppers for their loyalty. As we’ve shown, although they lack the official Costco name, there are far more compelling options that offer higher rewards in more spending categories.
Pros:
- $15,000 personal income required
- Access to exclusive sales at Costco
- Doubles as Costco membership card
- Free upgrade to World Mastercard if you meet income requirements
- Includes mobile device insurance
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Only 1% cash back on in-store Costco purchases
- Costco membership required
- Rewards limited to one Costco rebate coupon per year
How to maximize your rewards at Costco
Without a dedicated, branded Costco card, you might feel like your hands are tied when it comes to maximizing your rewards. But, there are a few simple tricks you can do to get the most rewards using any of the credit cards we mentioned.
- Get an Executive Membership: This premium membership gives you a 2% annual reward. So, if you spend $1,000 a month, you’re looking at a nice $240 reward at the end of the year. You’ll also get service discounts that basic cardholders don’t get. Both of these features can help offset the $130 annual fee.
- Buy gift cards online: Purchasing gift cards is a smart way to maximize the rewards on your Costco credit card. Costco offers many gift cards at a discount – for example, you might pay $450 for a $500 WestJet gift card. You'll earn extra points on the purchase, and then enjoy additional savings when you use the discounted gift card to shop.
- Shop at Costco.ca: If you have a branded Costco credit card, you’ll enjoy boosted rewards on online Costco purchases – so take advantage of it!
If you’re using a credit card that rewards you for your warehouse purchases, you might also buy gift cards from Costco that you can use at restaurants and retailers.
FAQ
What is the best credit card to use at Costco?
The best card to use at Costco is the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard, with 2% cash back if you have a Rogers service, and 3% if you use it to pay off your Rogers bills. No annual fee is a big bonus.
Does Costco take Visa?
Currently, Costco Canada only accepts Mastercard credit cards in-store and Visa and Mastercard credit cards online. Costco Canada (like Costco in the U.S.) doesn't accept American Express credit cards at all, neither in-store nor online, unfortunately.
What is the difference between CIBC Costco Mastercard and CIBC Costco World Mastercard?
The CIBC Costco Mastercard is the basic option, while the World Mastercard is a mid-tier credit card. With this card, you’ll get World Mastercard benefits like personalized offers, Mastercard Travel Pass, Priceless Experiences, and more.
Does Costco Mastercard have lounge access?
Unfortunately, neither Costco credit card includes airport lounge access. If you have other credit cards, read their benefits booklets or call the customer service numbers on your cards to ask them about airport lounge access.
What is the best credit card in Canada?
The American Express Cobalt Cardhas won best credit card in Canada for eight years in a row. We love the extensive insurance coverage, high earn rate of up to 5 points per $1 spent, Amex benefits, and low income requirements.
What credit card is best for Costco gas?
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard awards 5 points per $1 spent at Costco gas stations, but if you want straight cash back and frequently fill up at Costco, the CIBC Costco Mastercardoffers 3% back on Costco gas purchases.
Does Costco count as groceries?
Because it sells a mix of goods – including clothing, groceries, and electronics – Costco Canada falls under the spending category of general merchandise, not groceries. This means you’ll want to use a card that rewards everyday spending.
What is a Costco Shop Card?
Think of a Costco Shop Card as a gift card that members can load with money. Members and non-Costco members can use it. The funds never expire, and you can reload funds onto the card at any time.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 226 Canadian credit cards.
